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NBA Rumors: New York Knicks ‘playing hardball’ with Carmelo Anthony

By Andrew Melnick

Feb 21, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after stepping out of bounds with less then a minute to go in regulation with the game tied as the Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks 129-121 in double overtime at Amway Center. Anthony had a game-high 44 points. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after stepping out of bounds with less then a minute to go in regulation with the game tied as the Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks 129-121 in double overtime at Amway Center. Anthony had a game-high 44 points. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Phil Jackson now in command, the New York Knicks have made a few moves that have been widely praised.

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They were able to deal center Tyson Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for a package that included Jose Calderon and two second round picks that wound up being former Wichita State Shockers’ swingman Cleanthony Early and Greek swingman Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the brother of Milwaukee Bucks’ wing Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Of course, there biggest decision – the future of free agent forward Carmelo Anthony – has not been decided.

According to Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders, the Knicks are “playing hardball” with Anthony.

"The Knicks may be hesitant to give Anthony a max deal this summer, but there are numerous suitors rumored to have the high scoring forward at the top of their wish lists once free agency opens next week.The Chicago Bulls have the capability to create the necessary cap room to sign Anthony and pair him alongside All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah. Houston and Miami are two other prime destinations who may join the Anthony sweepstakes and there are sure to be countless others willi ng to join the party.For now Jackson is using the legacy over money angle while publicly speaking a message of avoiding max level deals because it limits a team’s options long term to build a complete roster.“I think it puts limitations on a team,” Jackson said. “What happens is then you end up having two or three players that have big contracts and everybody else’s is either veteran minimums or young players coming in. You don’t have that middle ground for a player that’s veteran, comfortable leadership-quality people. Miami explored it. I think they got the most out of it.”"

Anthony put up 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and shot 45.2% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free throw line last season.

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